Retaj Al Rayyan Hotel Doha

... couriered to Calgary a couple of weeks ago and now with only one signatory left at the University (and therefore the inability to pay invoices), I decided to follow up with the receptionist. Sure enough, the letter had been returned but because it was addressed to Sheila's assistant who is on vacation it had sat unopened.

Letter in hand I arrange for Mr. Saju to drive me to the bank forthwith. Mr. Saju, possibly sensing my excitement, has decided to ...

... drove me and while we waited for Mr. Mohammed a group of 50 or so workers came out of one building and headed into the building I knew I was going into. Then before Mr. M arrived, another 50 workers shuffled from the mystery building to the one where I was to be x-rayed. This time I will feel like a but will nevertheless be glad to have assistance lest I while the whole day away in the wrong line or something silly like ...

... But with the full facial covering, and notion of any degree of equality is completely thrown away. Wow, what an interesting day. We took a cab back to the hotel along the Corniche and it was a pretty drive. Along the Corniche was the same mix of ex-pats running and traditionally dressed locals as last night. It's a funny mix this place called Doha: Western amenities and traditional garb and values. But, for the last time, it does seem like here ...

... at Terminal 1 cares. Every line was at least 20 deep of migrant workers coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan or India. Needless to say, the lines didn't move quickly. By the time I finally got through, the luggage was off the belt and sitting on the floor next to the belt. From Dubai I was flying on to Doha for overnight, then Yemen, then Ethiopia before returning to Dubai. I didn't want to deal with, or ...

On my flight from Hong Kong to Rome there is an 8 hour layover. The plan was to get out of the airport and see the few things to see in Doha but when I arrived I realized you need to buy a visa to get in (30 dollars) and I sure was not going to do that. Instead I have been chilling in the airport with not much to do for now almost ...

... Oh if only they knew in advance, and look out Italian girls. Ann-Marie is fantastic. She has tried to give me as much sleep as possible on the flight to Doha (yes I realise I spelt it incorrectly earlier). This is no mean feat given the outright arrogance of some passengers and the rudeness with which some of them treated Ann-Marie. "Oh, don't worry, Ann-Marie doesn't mind a 50yr old man shoving his ****** in her face." And to the title. I have grown up on beaches and ...

... country. The driver warned me to not to capture any local women by the camera as the locals are very sensetive about it and they may put us in trouble. Well, I knew it and tried to avoid such incidence. Fortunately for me, I have just seen one woman in Hijab during the tour so It was easy for me to keep doing video. While going through the "National" Area, I saw that some shops are open but most of them are closed. Its a ...

... my travel equipment i.e. camera and lenses might be lost and how could I replace them especially for this trip. Anyway, I managed to get out of the airport, which to me was not impressive at all. It's a bit dated compared to other airports in Asia as well as Europe. Hank was there waiting for me and we managed to take a little tour of Georgetown, a suburb of Washington and have supper in an Italian Restaurant: Paper Moon. Too bad I didn't bring my camera

... the world, every culture has reservations or grievances, each and every one is out to get something. I know I sound cynical but only in the Irish have I found a real intensity to just enjoy life, to live rather than make money or security or power to live". At that point I had to correct him. On grievances in history I had to explain the England-Ireland "thing", on being out to get something I explained how our recent richness and Celtic Tiger economy has left us just as decadent ...

We were very excited with our trip to Egypt this year. Egypt is always on the list of the "place MUST go" for those who loves traveling. What else can top the magnificent pyramid, which is the only remaining Ancient Wonders of the World?! Before this, we had only been traveling east around the Asia Pacific countries. While this will be our first journey to the west (for most of us ...